Knock-down stereoscopic viewer including beam support member



KNOCK-DOWN STEREOSCOPIC VIEWER INCLUDING BEAM SUPPORT MEMBER Filed March20, 1957 May 16, 1961 G. J. BRENNAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

/ Fig. 2

GEORGE J. BRENNAN May 16, .1961 G. J. BRENNAN 2,984,153

KNOCK-DOWN STEREOSCOPIC VIEWER mcwnmc BEAM SUPPORT MEMBER Filed March20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. GEORGE J. BRENNAN United StatesPatent 6 KNOCK-DOWN STEREOSCOPIC VIEWER INCLUD- ING BEAM SUPPORT MEMBERGeorge J. Brennan, Crescent Park, NJ. (Box 112B, RD. 2, Blackwood, NJ.)

Filed Mar. 20, 1957, Ser. No. 647,351

6 Claims. (Cl. 88*29) This invention relates to stereoscopes forstereoscopic views compatibly designed so that their use together willproduce for an observer a realistic three-dimensional.

that they might be made at low cost from inexpensive In general, suchmaterials such as paper or cardboard. stereoscopes are erected fromdie-cut shapes of more or less intricate design and including numerousfolding lines, tabs, flaps and interlocking sections, Stereoscopes ofthe above types after they have been erected a time ortwo have beenfound unreliable and unsatisfactory for further use for the reason theydo not retain the rigidity required for the optical precision, in termsof location and the like of the stereo views and lenses, necessary to asatisfactory stereoscope.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a stereoscopeof the knock-down type which i-n terms of low cost compares favorablywith earlier proposalsand at the same time provides the precision in thelocation of its several parts which assures over a relatively longperiod of time satisfaction in viewing the frames which form astereogram of any suitable scene.

In carrying out the present invention in a preferred form thereof, allnecessary parts are included. in a Patented May 16, 1961 Fig. 3 is anisometric view of a typical lens of'Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the top of the container which forms apart of the stereoscope of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the bottom of the container which forms apart of the stereoscope of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is an exploded isometric view of all the parts of the stereoscopeof Figs. 1 and 2 to illustrate the manner in which they may be assembledwithin the container and the manner in which the stereoscope isassembled therefrom;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the optical system of the stereoscopeand corresponds with a plan view of the stereoscope with the beam 14omitted;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a stereogram with marks identifying thelocation of the separate stereo -views or frames thereon;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view ofga modification of the stereogram ofFig. 8; and J Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a modification of theinvention. i

Referring to Fig. 1, the stereoscope 10 comprises a I container 12 fromwhich there extends a beam 14. The

extension in a direction away from a pair of viewing lenses 24. Astereogram comprising a card 26 carrying shipping container which may beof ordinary cardboard,

the lenses and through a distance gseater than their focal length. Eachstereo pair. of frames is mounted on a card having provisions for aportion thereof to engage the beam. From the beam the card depends tobring each frame into the proper position for viewingv through therespective lenses. The stereograms, for the stereo views are made ofabout the same dimensions as the container itself so that they may fittherein to provide internal support and protection against damage inshipment. The focal length of the lenses, the length of the beam, andthe dimensions of the container are selected so that the beam also canbe received within the shipping container, preferably along thediagonal, the greatest dimension thereof.

For further objects and advantages and for illustration of several formsof the invention, reference is to be had to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction,

a stereo pair of frames 28L and 28R has a portion engaging the beam 14which is provided by the opening 30 through the card 26. The opening 30in each stereogram is preferably slightly greater than the diameter ofthe beam 14 for gravity-positioning of each stereogram ina positionparallel to the plane of the lenses. This card is supported atapproximately the focal length L" of the lens. Its positioning at thedesired distance for viewing is aided by the provision of a notch 32 inthe beam 14. Whether it be a notch or two small protuberances, it may bedesirable to have some marking to aid in the positioning of the card 26from container 12 which forms the main body and support for thestereoscope as a whole.

From the above understanding of the invention it will be seen that arelatively rugged structure has been provided, one of which, the beam,is held in a fixed position which will be maintained throughout anindefinite length of time and that the stereogram cards 26, incooperation with the beam, are supported in proper viewing relationshipwith a very minimum of structure. The simplicity of the arrangement as awhole not only contributes to its success as a stereoscope but is asubstantial factor in reducing the cost of manufacture.

The rigidity of the container or main body portion 12 of the stereoscopearises from the fact that the container 12 is assembled with the lid 34embracing the back or body of the container 36. The nesting relationshipof the two parts of the box provides double thicknesses 38, 40 of thecardboard throughout the edge walls or sides.

The lenses 24, Fig. 3, are of molded plastic or glass with the convexityof the surface 42 providing the desired focal length and the fiat base44 providessurfaces near the four corners 46 having thereon an adhesivematerial 47. The adhesive material secures each lens in position in theopenings 48L and 48R of the panel 20 of thecover 34. The openings 48Land 48R provide sel'f centering of the lenses thereon, this beingachieved by having the openings of a diameter equal to that oftheperiphery of the convex portion 42.

The width M of the edge or side walls 38, 40, is made adequate so thatwhen the stereoscopeisjheld to. the

eye the vision through the left eye is restricted to the frame 28L ofthe stereo pair while the vision from the right eye is limited to theframe 28R of the stereo pair. Cooperating with the selection of thewidth of the end wall for the foregoing purpose is the selection of thesize of the openings 50L and 50R in the panel 22 of the body portion 36of the container 12.

Thus in the embodiment of Fig. 1 the opaque section 52 of panel 22 aidsin the restriction of the views of each eye to the appropriate frame ofeach stereogram. Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, the dimenisonal arrows Xand Y demonstrate that the horizontal centerline 54 of frames 28L and28R intersects the axial centerlines 56 of the lenses 24 when the card26 is in viewing position on beam 14. This follows since the dimensionX, between centerline 58 of hole 30 in card 26 and centerline 54 offrames 28L and 28R, is equal to the dimension line Y between centerline60 of beam 14 and centerline 56 of lenses 24.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the dimensional arrows A and B which areequal, demonstrate that the horizontal distance between the centers ofthe lenses 24 equal the horizontal d.stance between the centerlines 62Land 62R of frames 28L and 28R respectively. Thus it will be understoodthat the center of each lens is axially aligned with the center of oneof the frames 28L and 28R of the stereo pair on card 26 as defined bythe intersection of horizontal centerline 54 and vertical centerlines62L and 62R, when all the parts are in assembled relationship.

The stereoscope of the invention as thus far described is readilyassembled with the major structure thereof tom half 36 of the box isadapted to receive the beam 14 along a diagonal dimension with thelenses 24 disposed along an opposite diagonal. Upon this assembly thereare included within the box a plurality of cards 26, each carrying astereogram of selected scenes for viewing. These cards are dimensionedto provide additlonal support for the edges of the container and thus toadd further support in prevention of injury thereto during shipmentthrough the mails. As shown in Fig. 4, the cover 34 has panel sections64 to which adhesive 66 is applied to the inner surface. These panels 64have score lines for folding over, adhesively to secure them to the backof the panel 22 of the bottom half of the box 36. These score linesgenerally can carry the label To Open Slit Here as shown in Fig. 4. Thebottom view of the box after assembly is shown in Fig. 5.

To erect the stereoscope from its tightly packed shipping arrangement, apenknife is moved through the scored lines and the parts removed asdiagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6. A finger nail or the like isthen used to remove closures 48R and 48L, their removal beingfacilitated by providing a series of perforations along theircircumference. Similarly, closures 50R and 50L for the rear openings 50Land 50R are removed in like manner, similar perforations being providedto facilitate this operation.

The end of beam 14 having a tapered end as shown in Fig. 2, ispreferably utilized to remove the closures 16' and 18' for the openings16 and 18, the walls of which form the frictional engagement for thatbeam.

The lenses are pressed into place, the adhesive securing "along thecenterlines.

50L of Fig. 1.

If desired, the locating openings 30 in each of the cards 26 may bereinforced by eyelets or if desired, a portion of each card may be madeof metal as shown in Fig. 9 at 30A. Each metallic element 30A in Fig. 9is shown as having a square opening, an embodiment of the inventionwhich may in some instances be preferred. Where the openings are square,the rod or beam 14 is likewise made square or rectangular. Thesupporting openings in the stereograms are slightly larger than those ofthe beam for grav.ty positioning of the stereogram in a positionparallel to the plane of the lenses. Similarly, the openings 16 and 18will be made to correspond with the shape of the beam 14 but in allcases will be somewhat smaller to assure the right frictional engagementreferred to above.

With the above understanding of the present invention it is to beunderstood that many mod.fications may be made within the scope of theappended claims. In its broader aspects, the invention embraces themodification of Fig. 10 where the lenses 24A have been shown assupported by the frames 12A of conventional spectacles,

the bows 70 thereof serving their usual purpose to engage the oppositesides of the head and to be disposed behind the ears. From the nosepiece 34A there extends the beam 14A, in cantilever fashion, andlikewise a similar beam 14B which serves as a stop for a visiondividingcard 52A. This card serves the same function as the opaque area 52between the two openings 50R and A card 26 is shown in its properlocation at the notch 32A of the beam 14A. It is contemplated that thebeam 14A and the positioning rod 143 are mounted on the nose piece 34Aas by screws for ease in disassembly of the stereoscope. In thisconnection, the beam 14A may likewise be sectioned and threaded togetherso that all parts can nest within a spectacle case having dimensions notmaterially greater than a conventional one.

The embodiment of Fig. 10 has the advantage that it may be used forviewing stereo pairs as may frequency appear in the comics orillustrated books, and particularly where the stereo pair is not to besuspended from the beam 14A. In that case it will be desirable to breakoff the outer end portion of the beam as at the notch 32A and in thatfashion to fix the viewing distance. The viewing distance will not onlybe fixed, but, by locating the outer end of beam 14A at a predeterminedlocation on each stereo pair, there will be assurance that the centersof the lenses will be lined up with the centers of each frame and thusthere will be minimized the difficulty experienced by some viewers inthe merging of the stereo pairs into a single stereo image to providethe desired three-dimensional effect characterizing the stereoscope.

What is claimed is:

l. A stereoscope of the knock-down type comprising in combinationtelescopic box structure the walls of one half of which aretelescopically received by the walls of the other half, a beam memberextending through opposing walls of said box structure having a stopprotuberance on one end thereof and frictionally gripped by said panelstructure to maintain it in rigid fixed position and extending outwardlyaway from said box structure, said beam member extending through saidpanels through a central portion above a pair of openings in each ofsaid panels, spaced apart the separation distance of the eyes andlocated along the lower edge of said panels, the pair of openings in thepanel member located in the direction in which said beam member extendsbeing adequate for the viewing of a single frame of a stereogam by eacheye and providing vision-limiting for each eye in respect to the frameto be viewed by the other eye, lenses supported in the two openings inthe panel remote from the direction of extension of said beam memberhaving focal lengths lessthan the length of said beam member for viewingthe stereogram depending downwardly from said beam member at a distancefrom said lenses approximately equal to their focal length.

2. A stereoscope of the knocked-down type comprising a container havingrigid side walls with closure panels, a beam member having a lengthapproximately that of the maximum distance between opposite walls ofsaid container, said panels having weakened portions thereof for removalof sub-closure elements for the formation of a pair of viewing openingsin each of them, a first pair of said openings providing for the supportof lenses therein, said panel having additional openings for thepositioning of said beam member between said pairs of openings andspaced therefrom, said beam member having a frictional fit in saidopenings provided for it in said panels, the separation distance betweenthe second of said pairs of openings in the second of said panels beingspaced from said openings in said first of said panels to form avision-limiting structure for each eye of an observer positionedadjacent said lenses, said pair of panels providing spaced supports forsaid beam member, the frictional relationship of said beam member withsaid panels maintaining them in relatively fixed spaced relationship,and a stereogram having an opening for receiving said beam for supportof said stereogram in depending relationship from said beam with eachframe of the stereogram positioned in alignment with said pair of saidopenings, said lenses having a focal length less than the length of saidbeam whereby said stereogram may be positioned so that its distance fromsaid lenses will be approximately equal to their focal length.

3. The stereoscope of claim 2 in which said beam has a notch forreceiving and locating said stereogram in a position on said beamcorresponding with a preferred viewing distance for an observer.

4. The stereoscope of claim 2 in which said beam is provided with anotch and in which said beam is rotatable to move said notch downwardlyso that said stereogram may be moved along said beam to accommodatediffering vision of different observers in respect to the preferredviewing distance of said stereogram.

5. The stereoscope of claim 2 in which said beam is 6 round and theopenings in said stereograms are round and of slightly greater diameterthan those of said beam for gravity positioning of said stereograms inposition par allel to the plane of said lenses.

6. A stereoscope of the knock-down type comprising a container havingrigid side walls with closure panels, a beam member having a length lessthan the maximum internal dimension of said container, said closurepanels having weakened portions thereof for the removal of sub-closureelements for the formation of a pair of viewing openings through saidcontainer, said openings in one panel adapted to support lenses therein,said openings in an opposite panel forming a vision-limiting structurefor each eye of an observer positioned adjacent said lenses, said panelshaving additional openings between and above said viewing openingsproviding spaced support for said beam member, the shape of saidadditional openings corresponding to the sectional shape of said beammember for frictionally engaging said beam member, providingsubstantially rigid spaced relationship between said beam and saidpanels, and a stereogram having dimensions to nest within said containerand having structure for engaging said beam for support in dependingrelationship therefrom for viewing, with each frame of said stereogrampositioned in alignment with said pair of viewing openings, said lenseshaving a focal length less than the length of said beam whereby saidstereogram may be positioned so that its distance from said lenses willbe approximately equal to their focal length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS854,093 Kennedy May 21, 1907 1,281,746 Allen et al. Oct. 15, 19181,520,311 Ruth Dec. 23, 1924 1,703,787 Singley Feb. 26, 1929 2,656,758Cole Oct. 27, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 136,533 Germany July 31, 1901 934,979Germany Nov. 10, 1955

